Squeeze Me: A novel

Loved this book & love that Hiaasen never disappoints. His approach to topics through wit & humor tackle some of the most important issues facing our planet today in a palatable manner. He blends the forces of evil and our ecological dangers into a fast paced, laugh out loud package while actually informing us of the realities of corrupt actors. In a recent interview, he tells how many or most of his novels have actual incidents that he incorporates into his well written stories. I’d give him 10 Stars if I could.

I would have given this book a five-star review, but the snide political commentary was so heavy-handed that I’ve been forced to give it a demerit. For those unfamiliar with Hiaasen’s work, he’s a talented and skilled satirist who works from the far-left side of the American political spectrum. Which is fine until he lets it get in the way of his wonderfully absurdist stories. This one is set in a wonderland version of Palm Beach, Florida. Its protagonist is Angie Armstrong, a reformed veterinarian cum game warden cum ex-con cum wildlife wrangler. But the real stars of the show are the story’s bizarre collection of Floridians, caricatures all, including a roman à clef depiction of Donald Trump and his retinue. The plot is structured – I use the term loosely – around an outbreak of oversized Burmese pythons in the uber-wealthy community of Palm Beach. There are several creative murders and one death by reptile, and the pythons play a part in the climactic scene. But along the way Hiaasen lards the tale with enough political gloss to choke . . . well, a twenty-foot python. Which of course detracts from the story arc. An example? On page 314 of my paperback copy he uses the phrase, “groveling right-wing radio stooges,” to describe one class of the president’s sycophants. Okayyy . . . So how, exactly, does that advance the narrative? As a certified (certifiable?) constitutional, individual-freedom-loving conservatarian, I found all these little asides distracting. A liberal slant is fine, but hey, don’t screw up the story line! But still – I give this book a hearty thumbs up. Other than the gratuitous political asides, it’s well-written by a literate and very skilled craftsman and has enough laugh-out-loud scenes to make for outrageous fun. If you’re from the left side of the American political spectrum you’ll like its send-ups of the Trump movement and the idle rich. If you’re from the right side of the spectrum you’ll appreciate Hiaasen’s batty character depictions and satirical observations about the American scene as expressed in that nuthouse otherwise known as Florida. Buy this book. It’s funny as all get-out.

This book is classic Carl Hiaasen—smart, fast-paced, and loaded with biting humor and absurdity. His commentary on the over-the-top nature of political power and privilege is razor-sharp, especially when skewering the chaos of the "current administration" without ever naming names. While conservatives might bristle at the satire, it’s honestly less partisan and more a critique of power and ego in general. Liberals will likely love it, but anyone who enjoys political satire and clever writing will find it thought-provoking and hilarious. A great read that doesn’t take sides—just shines a light on the madness.

Loved this book. Crazy, funny. Bought for a friend.

As usual Hiaasen creates a tale that is both hilarious on one leg and somewhat believable on the other. The cast of characters is amazing.

I've always enjoyed Carl Hiassen's books since getting a free copy of Striptease about 20 years ago. He has a real gift for creating bizarre characters, throwing them together in his equally bizarre version of South Florida and letting them weave their own chaotic fun. That's basically the way his novels go and "Squeeze Me" is true to formula. This novel is unique in that the U.S. President and First Lady (never actually named but thinly-veiled, extreme caricatures of Donald and Melania Trump) are two of the main characters. Someone is releasing Burmese Pythons in Palm Beach near the "Winter White House" and other wealthy, old money estates, causing panic and threatening the business of those who lease their properties for various seasonal celebrations. There's the usual assortment of low-lifes, decent working-class heroes and beloved recurring characters. Again, it's the standard Hiassen recipe but much of this book is dedicated to lampooning the President and First Lady. I normally wouldn't have any problem with this but Hiassen spends SO much time crafting these sleazy caricatures that the rest of the story starts to suffer. At times, his obvious loathing of the current administration borders on shrill and petulant and the book veers from fun, honest satire into vicious, petty attacks that cost him some of the high ground. Most of Hiassen's long-time fans probably won't mind this and I still got a lot of good laughs out of the story but , for me, the loss of focus on the actual plot detracted from a book which also tended to linger a little too long after the climax and spent a few too many pages wrapping up every last thread.

I had just completed a sobering read regarding Hitler’s coming to power in 1933 and decided I needed some lighter fare - Carl Hiaasen is a master story writer whose novels never fail to engage and amuse me. This is a truly funny, timely and topical novel that includes the pandemic, our sitting President, and his icy First Lady. If you’re a fan of Trump you may be offended but sadly, Hiaasen’s portrayal of him is both ridiculous and believable - dysfunction typically abounds in Hiaasen’s novels and featuring the First Family certainly fits the bill! Why four stars rather than five? This novel is certainly top notch entertainment and even manages to convey a serious message or three; I’m sure it will receive many five star reviews. However, I save my fifth star for those especially well written, touching tomes that you just have to sit back, breath, digest, and feel that you have witnessed something truly special. Squeeze Me is excellent entertainment and I will certainly continue to look forward to Carl Hiaasen’s work but, it is like a dandelion that once picked is blown into the wind, a pleasant moment in time that floats lightly away.

I have read several Hiassen books and so the bar was pretty high when I cracked open this one. Being an aspiring author myself I often get asked to beta read manuscripts for my impressions, oftentimes reciprocating for someone who has read my stuff. I say this because so much of my time is spent beta reading, that reading a book by choice is a treat. I loved Razor Girl, but everyone who was aware of my opinions of a certain Orange tinged autocrat suggested I read this. It was a master class in putting together political satire. Everything from the names of his characters, their flaws, and just taking the personality excesses of a public persona , and without ever mentioning the name, imbuing the story with all the personality quirks that are causing the world so much consternation, with a plot that just kept getting juicier the more side characters he involved, it was uniiquely Hiassen at his finest, and pure genius. Sometimes when we voice our opinions, we can say with humor what we cant say with a straight face. Truth with a side dish of laughter is one way to show the absurdity we are living in. And Lord knows, being able to laugh at the turbulence around us, and its genesis in a very flawed personality who holds sway for reasons that escape me over almost half the country, is a great way to keep ones wits about them. It was a lesson in telling hard truths through fiction. This is a must read!!! Hiassen is a master at his craft. Steve Grossman Author "Palimony"

Mr Hiaasen’s books never fail to entertain and this one is no exception. The imagery is so complete that you can almost see his debauched and despoiled Florida; the characters are hilarious and horrendous all at the same time. Just wonderful!

Eines seiner besten Bücher, das es leider nicht auf deutsch gibt... Klare Empfehlung!

Not one of his best efforts, but like all of his books it was worth the ride. Good summer beach read

This guy is so profanity deleted funny. His wit is getting sharper, drier and more acidic.

At last a book for our times. Brilliantly satirical and outrageously funny. It uses all known hand gestures to give the finger to 2020. Finally a book written with Covid 19 as a character but diminished to a bit part player as the author’s more contagiously mind plays riot. Those familiar with Carl Hiaasen’s body of work will know his literary creations are both realistic and larger than life. The disappearance of an elderly woman from a benefit gala is the start of the mayhem. Weaving reality with “fake news” it has wonderful fun with a Winter White House in Florida where the President and First Lady lead quite separate lives. Within this magical spitting image portrayal minus the latex anything goes. However, enter the star of the novel one Angie Armstrong a feisty, no-nonsense wildlife expert. She is a one woman business to capture and relocate animals straying into commercial premises and private homes. She has her work cut out when snakes take centre stage. Like me you will stifle laughter in public until the author in another throw away line has you reduced to a line of emoji LOL. The issue of snakes on the sidewalk is a problem in South Florida but watching real life bounty hunters capturing pythons in CBS news reports could not have you daydreaming this amazing storyline. Inventive, original and murderously funny. From stalking and intimidation, through petty crime and people smuggling. Dripping wealth with political sway to Political poverty and false tans. Some books are just a delight to read. This author never disappoints and when he has an unique character to unleash from his previous books you know you are reading a gem of a novel. The year is coming to a close; many will want to quickly move on. This is one novel they will not want to miss out on as it refocuses life to the things that matter, helps us see the sun behind the rain clouds and transports us beyond the here and now. We might not have the forensic skills of such fine satire, to write such wonderful lines, but while we can read we can all be delighted and entertained in full measure. One of the very best of 2020.